Final question: Was the '88 RM250 the POS of the year, or a great bike, or ???? Doesn't matter, but just wonderin'. I quit racing in '86 and was stuck in Ft. McMurray Alberta working in the oil sands when that bike came out.

The '88 seems to be a "stand alone" model, especially the engine, swingarm, and shock linkage. Some of the '87 stuff will work, and some the '89 stuff will work, but some things are '88 only. I've been ebayin' & swap meetin`it back together and have under $600 invested so far.

Final question: Was the '88 RM250 the POS of the year, or a great bike, or ???? Doesn't matter, but just wonderin'. I quit racing in '86 and was stuck in Ft. McMurray Alberta working in the oil sands when that bike came out.

My avatar shows me racin' the '88 250 back then. The only time I raced it; initially bought to sponsor a kid down the street. Had my own '88 KX 125/250s.

From what I remember the motor was fast stock, but it handled odd; like the front wanted to go one way; rear another...like on a hinge. Didn't seem predicatable.

Tranny went out within a month. Suzook repaired on their dime. Might wanna watch that area.

Need a chain guide and the swingarm chain rub block. A complete set of new linkage bearings would be nice.

PM me with any parts you have for this bike!!

Hi there. The Swingarm and Linkage bearings/sleeves/shims are available from All Balls (look on EBay) and the Buffer is still available, if you dealer can get it , UFO Plastics. I've got 5 complete 88's with enough spares to build another 2 i guess. Been buying them up over the last year. Also got perfect copies made of the Rad stickers and Swinarm "Full Floater" stickers.

Have you tried www.cmsnl.com ? They have parts lists nd diagrams of all model. I have a CR250 1996 but no manual. To rebuild the bottom end the exploded diagram helps a lot.
Good luck and post some photos.

I had an 88 and it is one of my favorite bikes off all time. 1st time I rode it I thought.....dam its slow and going to need a lot of work.....raced it that weekend and had CR500's on both sides of me......and it pulled them up the hill and into the 1st turn. Deceiving power.....very electric with no hit but fast.